Neiko Thorpe highlights list of Raiders cuts

The Oakland Raiders waived 18 players Saturday to get to the league-mandated 53 players.

In addition to the cuts, the Raiders also traded safety Dewey McDonald and placed fullback Marcel Reece on the Reserve/Suspended list.

Defensive end James Cowser and linebacker Neiron Ball were placed on the Waived/Injured list. There were some notable cuts, mainly due to the Raiders vastly improved depth this season as opposed to years past. Below are the players released by the team:

OFFENSE

• RB George Atkinson III
• OG Mitch Bell
• OG Denver Kirkland
• OG Oni Omoile
• WR K.J. Brent
• WR Marvin Hall
• WR Jaydon Mickens
• TE Jake McGee
• TE Ryan O’Malley

DEFENSE

• CB Kenneth Durden
• CB Neiko Thorpe
• DL Drew Iddings
• DL Branden Jackson
• DT Derrick Lott
• DE Greg Townsend Jr.
• DE/LB James Cowser
• LB John Lotulelei
• LB Korey Toomer
• LB Kyrie Wilson
• LB Neiron Ball

Notables

LB James Cowser

The undrafted rookie out of Southern Utah had a good training camp and preseason, but didn’t do enough to make the final roster. He sustained a concussion in the Raiders final preseason game against the Seahawks, and Jack Del Rio said Cowser’s effort was faltering a bit.

If he clears waivers, it’s not improbable that the Raiders stash him on injured reserve.

CB Neiko Thorpe

Thorpe was beat out by Dexter McDonald for the fifth cornerback spot. The Raiders placed a second round restricted free agent tender on Thorpe during the offseason, but the cornerback’s lackluster preseason ultimately cost him his roster spot.